On their third day in Annecy, Asher received a call from his associate, Lucas, informing him that Vanessa had been found. Kimberly, worn out from sightseeing, wanted to return home and rest for a couple of days, so they packed their luggage and headed back to London.

After feigning pregnancy and being released from detention, Vanessa had been abducted by Grace’s people and smuggled to the Middle East. Grace’s promises to send her abroad and arrange accommodation and employment had never materialized. Instead, Vanessa had been sold to a fraudulent operation where she endured terrible abuse and lived in conditions worse than animals.

Asher’s people located her. Since the operation’s leader was also British and aware of the Blackwood family’s power and influence, he dared not offend them and handed her over.

In a dimly lit basement, Vanessa was tied to a wooden chair. Her hair was disheveled, her body covered in wounds, her appearance utterly wretched. These injuries weren’t inflicted by the Blackwood people, but by the overseers at the fraudulent operation where she had been kept.

Asher entered through the basement door. Dressed entirely in black, his demeanor was cold and severe, his handsome face shrouded in darkness. He sat on a sofa three or four meters away from Vanessa, his gaze fierce. “Tell me, who put you up to this?”

Upon seeing Asher, Vanessa immediately broke down. “Asher, don’t—don’t look at me!” Her voice was hoarse with crying, her eyes flashing with despair. “I look absolutely dreadful right now.”

Asher frowned with displeasure. To him, Vanessa was merely an unforgivable criminal; he couldn’t care less about her appearance. Hearing nothing useful, Asher lost patience, his tone becoming harsh. “Did I stutter?”

Vanessa shook her head through her tears. “I can’t tell you. I… I had no choice. For the sake of all those years I loved you, couldn’t you just let me go?”

Asher’s eyes were ice-cold, without a trace of warmth. “Tell me, and I’ll let you go.”

Vanessa begged him tearfully, “Please, Asher, I truly can’t say. Please spare me. I didn’t mean to ruin your engagement ceremony…” Her tone changed, her face full of concern. “Has your wound healed? I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt you… I…”

She hadn’t intended to harm Kimberly either. All of this was Grace forcing her hand! But she couldn’t say that. Her father was still in Grace’s clutches. She had been thrown into that operation and tortured for over a month. She hated Grace more than anyone, wanted her dead more than anyone! But she couldn’t say so. Her father was her only remaining family in this world.

Seeing that Asher showed no softening, Vanessa’s heart sank. “Asher, just kill me. I cannot tell you…”

“Why would I kill you?” Asher’s face remained severe. “Miss Miller, since you refuse to tell me anything, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

Asher coldly rose to his feet. “Asher, what are you going to do to me?” Vanessa’s pale face, still streaked with tears, gazed desolate. Asher’s eyes were glacial, his entire being seemingly encased in ice. He didn’t answer, turning to leave instead.

“Asher, don’t go!” Vanessa cried out in misery. “Won’t you stay with me a bit longer?” Her voice was wretched, filled with pathetic pleading. “During this past month in that place, I suffered inhuman torment. I… I…”

Vanessa sobbed brokenly. “I was defiled by those beasts! They weren’t human, just monsters worse than animals! I was beaten several times daily. The bread they gave me was stale, the porridge was practically water with barely any oats. The food was worse than pig slop. Asher, I nearly couldn’t go on living. Do you know you were my only hope for survival? Just thinking of you gave me the courage to live on…”

Asher stood with his back to her, his posture straight, his profile sharp and cold. As he listened to Vanessa’s tearful account, his expression didn’t change in the slightest. The woman continued sobbing. “Every day I told myself I had to persevere. I had to live to escape that place. Only by living could I see you again. If I died, I would never see you again…”

“Asher, please, I beg you, stay with me a little while. I’m nearly mad with it all. Every time I close my eyes, I see those beasts violating me. The pain in my heart is a thousand times worse than any physical pain…” Vanessa cried brokenly. “Won’t you talk with me a bit longer? Even if you just scold me…. Don’t go, don’t leave me, don’t. I truly… truly wanted to see you so badly… You are the only light in my life!”

To be someone’s hope for living, to be the only light in someone’s life—most men would be moved by such words. But Asher remained unmoved. His heart didn’t stir in the slightest; he didn’t even deign to look back at her. Without lingering, he turned and left.

Vanessa watched Asher’s cold, resolute back as he walked away, and the last glimmer of light in her eyes was extinguished.

Outside the basement, Asher turned to the bodyguard beside him and said: “Find a way to get her to talk. Extract something useful.”

“Yes, sir.”

Sympathy? Compassion? He might possess these qualities. But he would certainly never waste them on a criminal who had attempted to harm his Kimberly. After all, just over a month ago, Vanessa had nearly killed his beloved. Those who harmed Kimberly would pay dearly!

Leaving the facility, Asher glanced at his watch—it was ten o’clock. His Kimberly would be waking up hungry by now. Kimberly had been thoroughly exhausted by Asher’s attentions the previous night. She had slept soundly, not waking until midday.

The curtains were half-drawn, sunlight streaming through the glass, casting a layer of soft golden light on the pale blue duvet at the foot of the bed. Dust motes danced gently in the air, making the light visible.

As soon as Kimberly opened her eyes and her senses returned, she caught the enticing aroma of food. Wearing adorable teddy bear pajamas, her hair disheveled, she climbed out of bed and followed the delicious smell, her eyes still half-closed.

In the dining room, the table was already set with a Sunday roast, complete with Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes. The extractor fan hummed steadily in the kitchen. Kimberly peered curiously toward the kitchen.

Asher emerged wearing an apron, carrying a bowl of leek and potato soup. “You’re awake, I see?” He placed the soup on the dining table. It was Kimberly’s favorite comfort food.

“Hungry, darling? Go wash your hands and we’ll eat.” Asher still had the apron tied around him, looking every bit the picture of domestic bliss.

Kimberly’s eyes were still drowsy, regarding him sleepily. “Why haven’t you gone to work yet?” And prepared such an elaborate meal, no less.

Asher untied the apron. “I thought you’d be famished when you woke, so I picked up some bits from Waitrose to cook for you.”

Kimberly rubbed her eyes, her voice soft and sweet from just waking up, utterly beguiling. “How terribly domestic of you.”

“Only for you,” Asher replied, his eyes filled with tenderness too deep to dissolve.

Chapter 102